The Amazing Race 9: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Episode 2: Polar Opposites

Not much to say here. Very odd, short leg. The first team got their pit stop clue before the episode was half over. It just seemed like they were stretching, which is not something that you think of during an episode of AR.

The Good:

Frankenberry: I hesitate to use the word “favorites,” because I can’t imagine them sticking around past the next couple weeks. But I can’t help but love them. I almost always have a soft spot for the old couple, as they always give us some of the sweeter moments in the race. Remember Don tearily professing his love for his wife?

So it should be no surprise that I was thrilled that Fran & Berry lived to race another day. Their exhilaration at learning they were in next to last place was nothing short of glorious to me (especially considering who was eliminated). But let’s look at some of the hardships they had to go through:

• Fran followed the group up the stairs and had to wait for Danielle to get her crap together (and come on, I’ve got a fear of heights too, but you’re on a race. Either suck it up or make your partner do the task) and go. Even then, she was patient and comforted her – which probably helped more than my approach would have.
• They chose the wrong roadblock. Not sure how they could do that, as Climb It was obviously going to be physical. Admittedly, they had just had problems with a manual task and Press It sounded a lot more complicated than it was. But they did the physical task. It was painful to watch at times, but they did it.
• Their car broke down. A really tough break, but at least the camera crew didn’t drain their battery.

Admittedly, a great deal of this was their fault, but that’s not the point. They could have whined and pissed and moaned like certain other teams (below), but they didn’t. They faced what they thought was their fate with dignity and class, not to mention a large dose of humor.

Team Frink: I’m very totally and unashamedly stealing Jenn’s nickname for the nerds because it is completely brilliant and awesome. I’m going to be laughing my ass off whenever they’re on screen now. But I have to give Team Frink a special nod for a Mr. Wizard reference. Mister Wizard is awesome.

They’re Gone!: Yes, yes, I’m a mean evil person for being glad that someone has had their dream cut short. You know what? Tough. I’ll be sad for a team that tries as hard as they can and can’t quite make it – like Frankenberry had they been the ones eliminated.

I’m not going to feel one iota of sorrow for a team, or one of a team, who whines, bitches, cries, curses, complains, screams, pouts, bickers, and is just generally unpleasant when bad things happen. Bad things are going to happen to just about everyone on this show. You fall and need stitches in your knee. You get hit with a gate. You read the clue wrong and have to go back. You hit your head in a cave. Many things may happen to you in one leg. Heck, see above! But have a little freaking DIGNITY, for crying out loud. Have some pride. Cry when you get to the mat.

Dani and… er, Dani: I admit, I didn’t think very much of this team initially. Their trying to use their feminine wiles to get through the detour disgusted me, but I couldn’t say it was bad racing strategy even though it didn’t work. By all rights, it should have. In any case, they’re showing me that they’ve got intelligence too, which I like. You can be the most beautiful woman in the world, and if you’re dumb as a post, I have no time for you. Well, maybe a little time, but you know what I mean. I’m already more impressed by them than I thought I’d be, which I think is their whole strategy, come to think of it.

The Bad:

Lighten Up!: Last week, I mentioned in this article how teams should be competitive, yet still relax and have fun, especially in the early weeks. There’s absolutely no need for Ray & Yolanda to be so driven all the time. Did you see the look on their faces when they came in fifth? Yes, you want to do well and you want to win, but keep in mind that the Linzes never came in first until the final leg. The early legs, your #1 goal is to avoid elimination, period. You do that, you’re doing well.

Come On!: I thought it was just me, but a co-worker also commented on how dull this episode was. About two thirds of the episode seemed to consist of one team member rooting on the other. That’s fine, and nice and inspiring, but do the editors have to show us ALL of it?

We Need Less Mojo: I’m glad to see I’m not the only one annoyed by Team Mojo. The bad thing is, I really don’t know why. I just don’t like them. The other teams, I can give you definitive reasons why I like or don’t like them. I can’t here.

Bloco F Gets a Grade of F: I HATE EQUALIZERS. Especially when they’re the first destination and it’s completely apparent that they’re all going to be sitting around and bunched up together. Why not push back the start a couple hours? It’s not like two more hours of sleep is going to make much difference. Or even wake them up and make them wait until the place opens, and THEN start the leg.

Then again, part of me wonders if they do this on purpose to make it more dramatic. Or because they wanted to make sure everyone could make the charter buses on the next clue.

The Ugly:

Sex Sex Sex Sex The Amazing Race Sex Sex Sex Sex: The Frat Boys need to tone it down several notches. I like a nice female form as much as the next guy, but geez, guys! However, if this behavior results in the cameras showing us more examples of fine female flesh, I may consider rescinding this one.

Tahiti: Can you imagine BJ & Tyler lying on the beach in Tahiti? Why does it remind me of the end of Office Space?

Mike DeGeorge is an Accountant from St. Louis and is also Associate Editor for RealityNewsOnline. You can reach Mike at rno.mike@gmail.com.

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